Jul 17 1962
From The Space Library
X-15 No. 3 flown to record altitude of 58.7 miles (314,750 feet) by Major Robert M.White (USAF). Flight was programed for only 282,000 feet but maximum speed of 3,784 mph was 284 mph faster than planned. White's flight made him eligible for astronaut wings, reserved for those who have flown over 50 miles high, previously held only by four Mercury astronauts. Flight was also the first to achieve the original design altitude of the X-15 of 50 miles.
NASA Ames Research Center reported that a number of beetles had survived the 25-mile-high balloon flight in which the monkey and hamster passengers in the bioscience payload perished because of a failure in the life-support system supplying oxygen and heat.
In reviewing technical considerations leading to NASA's selection of the lunar orbital rendezvous mode (LOR) for Project Apollo, D. Brainerd Holmes, Director of Manned Space Flight, told ARS lunar conference in Cleveland: "The mission I have described has been widely reported in the newspapers and technical journals, with a liberal use of superlatives in assessing its magnitude and complexity. In this case, resort to superlatives is well-advised—this is truly a staggering undertaking. Entirely new concepts of component and system reliability must be developed and proven. Extensive tests must be carefully planned and conducted, and results must be exhaustively studied. Crew capabilities must be developed and meshed with proven automatic systems so that the two work together with Swiss-watch precision.
"It is a challenging task, studded throughout with difficult decisions which must be soundly based and properly made. . . .
"With the decision as to the method by which we will go to the moon we think we have taken a giant step forward. Essentially, we have now 'lifted off' and are on our way. . . ." In Cleveland, Dr. Joseph F. Shea, NASA’s Deputy Director of Manned Space Flight for Systems, told ARS conclave that the manned lunar landing was greatly dependent upon information acquired by the unmanned Ranger and Surveyor payloads. The landing zone for Apollo flights (strip 20° wide along lunar equator) is about the size of Alaska. Maps of two-fifths-of-a-mile to an inch are required, which must be based on photographs which can identify five-or six-ft. objects for navigational fixes and initial exploration. Smallest objects now discernable in the photographs of the moon's surface by the test telescopes on earth are about the size of a football field.
In address to ARS lunar meeting in Cleveland, Dr. James A. Van Allen said that protons of the inner radiation belt could be a serious hazard for extended manned space flight, and that nuclear detonations might be capable of cleaning out these inner belt protons, perhaps for a prolonged period, for making manned orbits about 300-mi.-high above the earth. Van Allen said that the recent shot over Johnston Island was far too small and too low to have such an effect.
Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, headed by Rep. Victor Anfuso, opened hearings on the role of women in the space program. Jane B. Hart and Jerrie Cobb, representing the 13 women who completed unofficial space qualification tests at the Lovelace Foundation, testified that women had a real contribution to make and were qualified as astronauts. Jacqueline Cochran, well-known flier, said that "there is no doubt in the world that women will go into space." British astrophysicist, Zdenek Kopal, suggested in ARS lunar conference at Cleveland that the moon may have an abundant water supply, including geysers and under surface glaciers or permafrost.
In remarks referring to the editorial in the NASA issue of Aviation Week and Space Technology, Representative George P. Miller, Chairman of the Committee on Science and Astronautics, said that "the national space program continues to fire the imagination of the American people. The spectacular space achievements are but the top of the iceberg. Underneath is a rapidly growing base of solid scientific knowledge which will benefit the
Nation in thousands of different ways. The agency spearheading the massive scientific effort is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration . . ." In speech to the National Rocket Club, Senator Barry Goldwater said: "I am convinced that the American people fully endorse space preeminence for the United States. This is our long-range goal as a nation. . . . Space superiority in all its scientific, technological, and military aspects is fundamental to the future well-being, security, and prosperity of the United States . . .
"As a new agency, NASA has picked up a momentum, a direction and a purposefulness directed toward long-range research and development which is one of impressive merit . . . "From all I can observe, the relationship between NASA and the Air Force in the space program has proceeded fairly well to date. But I would point out that the Department of Defense is responsible for military affairs, not NASA. NASA is not a military service, and its broad-based program will undoubtedly contribute greatly to our own national military requirements. . . . The point I am trying to make is that the requirements of the United States for military programs in space should not be neglected in any vital aspect . . ." France announced plans to establish rocket launching facility along the Atlantic coast near Mont-de-Marsan in southwestern France. Station will be ready by 1967, when France has agreed to evacuate the rocket research center at Colomb-Bechar in Algeria.
Wash. Evening Star reported that NASA’s Director of Manned Space Flight, D. Brainerd Holmes, had announced in Cleveland that NASA X-15 pilot Neil A. Armstrong would become the first civilian astronaut as a part of the new Selection of astronauts for Projects Gemini and Apollo.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
